Rail Freight Without a Private Siding: How Companies Can Access the Network
- 6 hours ago
- 1 min read
DB Cargo has highlighted how companies can benefit from rail freight transportation even when their facilities do not have direct access to railway tracks.
Through terminals, railports and combined transport solutions, businesses can connect their existing supply chains to the rail network. Trucks handle the flexible first and last mile, while trains transport larger cargo volumes over longer distances.
At terminals, containers, swap bodies and craneable semi-trailers are transferred between trucks and freight trains using specialised handling equipment. Railports provide similar access but can also offer additional logistics services, including storage, depot operations, loading, unloading and customs clearance.
This combination allows businesses to benefit from the flexibility of road transport and the efficiency of rail freight. According to DB Cargo, a single freight train can replace up to 52 trucks, while rail transportation can reduce CO₂e emissions by approximately 80% compared with using road transport alone.
The absence of a private railway siding therefore does not prevent companies from using rail freight. With properly coordinated collection, transshipment, main transport and final delivery, rail can be integrated efficiently into existing logistics operations.
Image source: dbcargo.com
